15 April 2009

Singapore Navy Launches Twelfth Patrol Vessel

18 April 1998

The twelfth Patrol Vessel (PV) of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), RSS INDEPENDENCE, was launched this morning, 18 Apr 98, by Mrs Teo Chee Hean, wife of the Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, Rear-Admiral (NS) Teo Chee Hean, at the Singapore Technologies Marine yard at Tuas. The launching of this vessel marks the successful completion of the construction programme for the series of 12 "Fearless" class PVs acquired by the RSN.

Independence class of the RSN (photo : Wikimedia)

Assigned to the 182 Squadron (Sqn) of the RSN's Coastal Command (COSCOM), RSS INDEPENDENCE will undergo sea trials before being commissioned as an operational warship of the RSN in mid-1998. 182 Sqn already operates four operational PVs that were commissioned by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Dr Tony Tan, on 7 Feb 98. Another PV under the 182 Sqn, RSS FREEDOM, will be commissioned later this year together with RSS INDEPENDENCE. The other six PVs are deployed with the 189 Sqn of the RSN's First Flotilla.

COSCOM, which was established in 1988, is entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding Singapore's territorial waters and the conduct of all naval operations in the Singapore Straits. COSCOM works very closely with the Police Coastal Guard (PCG), and this close co-operation ensures the security and safety of our territorial waters and the Singapore Straits.

All the 12 PVs are designed and built by the local shipbuilders Singapore Technologies Marine. Each vessel measures 55 metres, has a displacement of about 500 tonnes and is able to achieve speeds in excess of 20 knots.

Sumber : Mindef

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